Second Follow Up Email After Interview: 3 Must Read Do’s and Don’ts

The time in between sending your post-interview thank you note and receiving a response can be stressful and scary. Following up the right way is extremely important, but most candidates aren’t sure what the best practices are. Our interview coaches have been on the receiving end of thousands of post-interview follow up emails, and have compiled a list of the most impactful do’s and don’ts.

Don’ts: Second Follow Up Email After Interview

1. Take it personally if you haven’t heard back in a while. Companies have different hiring policies that they are required to follow. Not all hiring managers are at liberty to share hiring process-related information. Give your hiring contact the benefit of the doubt and remain positive. Follow up emails should always be polite in tone.
2. Make assumptions. Not hearing back from an interviewer could mean a variety of things. Take this into account before sending a second follow up email. While a long wait for a hiring decision could mean that the company has moved on to other candidates, it could also mean that you remain in the running for the role and they are still in the process of making their decision. Both scenarios are equally plausible.
3. Also leave a voicemail. If you want to follow up a second time after an interview, sending an email, and only sending an email, is the best way to do so. An email, as opposed to a voicemail, gives the hiring manager more control, as well as the opportunity to respond thoughtfully and carefully to your questions. A voicemail would most likely lead to a phone call, which can put hiring managers on the spot when discussing sensitive hiring information. Additionally, both leaving a voicemail and sending an email might be perceived as over the top.

Do’s: Second Follow Up Email After Interview

1. Highlight your interest in the role. If a hiring manager has narrowed his or her list down to two final candidates who are equally qualified for the job, passion and excitement about the company and opportunity can always set one candidate apart. At the end of the day, hiring managers don’t want to waste time and resources on somebody who probably won’t accept an offer, especially if there is another equally qualified candidate who has indicated strong interest. If you want to send a second follow up email after an interview, be sure to mention that you are reaching out because of how excited you are about the role. This can only help you.
2. Ask about a timeline. Asking about an estimated timeline is a polite and unassuming way to get some more information from a hiring manager. Directly asking for a decision, or asking about where a company is in the hiring process is a bit too presumptuous and can be off-putting. Companies are not obligated to share information about their hiring processes with candidates, and while specifics and feedback are always nice, they are never guaranteed. Keep this in mind if you decide to send a second follow up email after an interview. A vague and polite question about a timeline that is included after a reiteration of interest in the role is your safest bet.
3. Wait. If you start feeling the urge to send a second follow up email after your interview, wait three business days before doing so. The hiring process can take a long time, and there are a lot of moving parts involved. It almost always ends up taking companies longer than expected to make a hiring decision. Employees are only human, and life happens. Give your interviewer some breathing room if you start feeling impatient. Remember that those involved in the hiring process are also busy with their general work load. Factor in time for sick days, travel delays, meetings, and family emergencies. When your instincts tell you to send a second follow up email, it is okay to follow your gut, but hold-off for a few days before doing so.

If you’re interested in learning more about our interview coaching services, email lewis@impactinterview.com.

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